College credit for prior learning can help students avoid having to take courses in subjects they have already mastered. This is especially helpful for adult students who have acquired college-level learning through past work, independent reading and study, employee training programs, in-service courses, volunteer services or other experiences. Earning credit for prior learning saves students both time and tuition dollars in learning a degree.

Central Maine Community College recognizes the value of college-level knowledge students may have acquired outside of the traditional college classroom.

Take a look at how credit for prior learning can help you save time and money toward your college degree. Click here to see how!

Prior Learning is a term used to describe learning that a person acquires outside a traditional academic environment. This learning may have been acquired through work experience, employer training programs, non-credit courses or seminars, and volunteer work.

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is a term used to describe the process by which an individual's experiential learning is assessed and evaluated for purposes of granting college credit, certification, or advanced standing toward further education.